Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02), Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), and Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) have introduced bipartisan legislation to help law enforcement agencies nationwide better identify and respond to concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) sustained by first responders.
The Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act tasks the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with enhancing its current TBI and concussion data collection to specifically include injuries experienced by police officers and other public safety professionals. With more accurate and detailed data, the CDC would develop clinical best practices for recognizing and treating these brain injuries and distribute the information to mental health care providers. This initiative would also support researchers investigating links between TBIs, stress-related disorders, and suicide risk in law enforcement personnel.
“Far too often, the invisible wounds suffered by our first responders are overlooked,” said Congressman Dan Crenshaw. “This legislation ensures that the same level of care given to athletes and military personnel is extended to our law enforcement officers. It's a commonsense step to safeguard those who protect us.”
“Every day, Minnesota’s first responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe and we owe it to them to ensure their safety and wellbeing too,” said Congresswoman Angie Craig. “I’m proud to be introducing this bill with my bipartisan colleagues to ensure local law enforcement agencies have the resources and information they need to address concussions and traumatic brain injuries on their teams.”
“Our public safety officers are often placing their lives in danger as they work to protect us and sometimes that danger can be physical and result in traumatic brain injury,” said Congressman Don Bacon. “This legislation is needed so we can care for those who protect us.”
"Day in and day out, our brave law enforcement officers are hard at work keeping our communities safe, often in dangerous situations that put them at risk for serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries," said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. "It is our responsibility to ensure that they receive the treatment they need, and I'm proud to support this bipartisan legislation, which will expand support for public safety officers recovering from traumatic brain injuries."
The bill has gained the endorsement of major law enforcement organizations, including the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association.
Crenshaw and Craig introduced this measure as the House counterpart to bipartisan legislation in the Senate, led by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).
Read the bill here.